I read a report that claimed that the world’s 22 richest men own more wealth than all 325 million women in Africa combined. If anything shows the disparity between rich and poor, this does. But if you talk to the average citizen in one of our developed countries, you may get the impression that we are struggling. Of course, compared to our developing country cousins we are doing rather well. It has been said that if all the money in the world was taken out of the hands of the rich and distributed equally to every person on earth, that in a very short period of time it would be back in the hands from which it was taken. As the years go by, I believe this more and more. Those who understand money have a clear advantage in money matters.
If the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) tells us anything, it tells us that we are responsible for what God gives—whether it be little of much. Doing nothing, good or bad, with it is considered ‘Burying your talents.’ This will bring divine condemnation. And excusing yourself by accusing God of ‘reaping where he does not sow,’ will have Him brand you as ‘wicked and lazy.’ God doesn’t play with this. The message is simple: The more you invest of what you have—the more God will give you to invest. Money is but one component in this. We know for sure that all the money of those 22 wealthiest men on earth will only cure Africa’s problems for a short period of time. It takes a lot of people with a lot of varying talents to move countries forward.
The same is true in the church and all those we interface with. We come with our ‘talents,’ individual and collective, and put them to work. If we remember that all we have is given by God, we will do well. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1Pet.4:10-11). With God one, yes one, faithful Christian can achieve more than all 22 richest men—and the rest. This I believe. Be that Christian!
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